Page 17 of Stolen Bride

“Good, because this night has been a bust. We spent more time getting ready than we did at the club.” More can happen in that short time than in my entire life.

My heart races as I think about that brief moment in Damiano’s arms. He made me feel wanted, craved, desired, and not just by some creepy old man. Damiano could have any woman he wanted. When his eyes landed on me, I couldn’t help but drop my gaze. The intensity took over, and I wondered if the alcohol had gone straight through me.

Every cell in my body shook with desire, and then he took my hand in his and kissed it. I nearly slid right off the leather. By some miracle, I didn’t embarrass myself and I remained glued to my seat.

We arrive at the house, security opening the gates. They have a small estate and once we’re inside, I’m taken to a bedroom that I’ll be sleeping in for the night. “Excuse me, but…”

“You can sleep in here. We’ll be down the hall. Goodnight.” Gracie rushes Camille from the room, who doesn’t give a shit about leaving me alone.

“Lead me to the booze,” I hear Camille say.

I turn on the light and look around the room. It’s clearly a man’s bedroom, and instantly I know who it belongs to. This is his room, or at least his old room. Will he show up here? Is that why she left quickly? He’s not going to be here for a long time because the club doesn’t close for hours, so I decided to peek into his things. The entire room is pristine and manly, from the neat dresser to the perfectly made bed with cream and navy-blue bedding. I open his closet, and there are several suits lined up. Immediately, I find my face pressed to the fabric like a fool, breathing them in as if they haven’t been laundered. Still, there’s a hint of him in the closet.

Hearing footsteps outside the room, I quickly step out and move to the bed before I get caught. I slip off my shoes, slide out of my dress so that I’m just in my panties, and let my body collapse onto the mattress. His scent engulfs me as I wrap up in his sheets.

“Thank you, Gracie,” I murmur as I wrap myself in his covers and rest my head on his pillows.

I don’t want to sleep, but then again, I want to dream of Damiano. There’s no way I’ll see him again. He may say he wants to see me again and that I’m his, but he’s a smooth talker—a man who probably takes pretty women up to his VIP lounge every chance he gets. That burns in my chest more than it should, considering my fate was sealed long before I met him.

****

I wake up the next morning, and Grace slips into the room. “Did you sleep well?”

“Um…yes,” I murmur, covering myself up with the sheets.

“So…I hoped he’d stop by this morning, but I guess he’s busy.”

“Is that why you put me in here?” I question, giving her a wry smile.

“A sister can hope.” She shrugs.

“Thanks, but I’m sure you read too much into last night.”

“He said to make sure you were safe.” My mouth falls open. “There’s nowhere safer.”

There’s a thud as someone fiddles with the door handle. “Hey, why is this door locked?” Camille gripes behind the bedroom door.

“I’ll be there in a moment,” Grace calls out.

“My father wants Stella home in an hour,” she shouts.

“Miss, please step away from the door.”

“Is that Gabriele?”

“Yes.” She nods and then turns to the door and says, “Okay. I’ll drive you both home in twenty minutes.”

“I meant just her. I can stay.” Of course Camille doesn’t want to leave this fabulous place; she probably wants to run into Damiano even though he doesn’t like her.

“Yes, but I have somewhere to be.” Grace looks at me and says, “Get dressed to go home.” She walks to the bedroom door and then slides out, hitting the lock inside before going so Camille can’t see inside. In the light of day, the room is beautiful and manly. I breathe in Damiano’s room. As I go to change my clothes, I notice my panties have a pink stain on them, so I quickly change my clothes.Damn him.Well, he can keep them. When I use his en-suite, it’s clear I don’t have my period, so the Devil stole more than my first orgasm last night.

As I gather my things, I toss them in his top drawer and walk out of the room.

Chapter Nine

Damiano

I stare at the damage, ready to bust some heads, but all I can think about is the fact that Stella is marrying someone else. There are so many hands that can be paid off. We have those who looked the other way, and those who wanted to dig deeper. Tonight of all nights, I’m not going to get the right fucker.